Philadelphia Eagles Notebook: Special teams stir-up

Philadelphia Eagles wide receiver Damaris Johnson (13) returns a punt in the first quarter of a preseason NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns on Friday, Aug. 24, 2012, in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)

PHILADELPHIA — The Eagles executed their No. 1, top-of-the-playbook, razzle-dazzle, trick play of the week again Friday.

It may not result in a touchdown, but it has to have left the Lions dazed.

Continuing a theme, Andy Reid didn’t say after practice at the NovaCare Complex whether DeSean Jackson would return punts Sunday against Detroit at the Linc. But just as special teams coordinator Bobby April was sketchy about that Thursday, Reid didn’t say Jackson would not return punts, either.

The mystery...

“We’ll see,” Reid said, after the usual closed practice. “We’ll see how that goes. That’s not necessarily where I’m at right this moment.”

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Yet is it possible that Jackson, who has been a Pro Bowl return specialist, will replace rookie Damaris Johnson, for the Birds are ranked 28th in the NFL in punt returning. Jackson has never rejected an opportunity to return punts, and has always told the coaches to keep him in those plans.

Thursday, April said, “He’s always ready to go. He’s like a pinch-hitter. He’s ready to go. You never know. You may get your wish this week, you may get it in two weeks but I don’t know. He’s always ready to go.”

Clearly, the Eagles’ initial plan was to not be clear at all.

The question turned inside-out Friday, Reid was not asked whether Jackson would return punts, but whether Johnson would not.

“We’ll see,” he said, staunchly in character. “We’ll see how all that works out.”

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In other Eagles’ misdirection plays, defensive coordinator Juan Castillo would not say the other day whether Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie or Nnamdi Asomugha would be the No. 1 cornerback choice to defend against dangerous Detroit receiver Calvin Johnson.

Rodgers-Cromartie was of little help in that discussion Friday.

“It depends,” he said. “It just depends on which side he lines up on.”

Such could be the Eagles’ plan — cornerback by committee. Either way, Rodgers-Cromartie knows the assignment will be difficult.

“You just have to keep a couple of people on him,” he said. “You have to keep him out of the game and don’t even allow him to get started. You have to frustrate him early.”

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In their continuing commitment to help fight against breast cancer, the Eagles have invited 50 breast cancer survivors, each with one of their closest fans, to hold a large pink ribbon alongside the American flag during the National Anthem ceremony Sunday.

Tapp understands that the Lions average 412.2 yards on offense, third best in the NFL. The key: Pressure quarterback Matthew Stafford, thus limiting his ability to connect with Johnson.

“I hope we can get to the quarterback early so they can’t get the ball to him (Johnson),” Tapp said. “But that works for any quarterback: Get to him early and get him thinking about the rush instead of looking down field.”